The House of Representatives voted 124-16 in favor of Harper’s nomination on Wednesday, and the Senate followed with a 24-7 vote.

The 68-year-old Harper, who wrote 224 opinions as a member of the State Appellate Court, was lauded for his service as a judge as well as his reputation as a role model for youths in his native New Haven.

The Family Institute of Connecticut opposed Harper because he filled in on the Supreme Court in 2008 and voted in favor of gay marriage.

Republican Sen. Kevin Witkos said he couldn’t support someone he considered to be an activist judge.